Mid-term (1 to 6 months) "social work" projects in Turkey

Dreams Academy is a project realized with the financial support of UNDP and Turkey Vodafone Foundation since 2008. Dreams Academy has educated over 2000 socially disadvantaged individuals & people with disabilities in its art education workshops, free of charge.

Dreams Academy carried out two sub-projects with its innovative and creative pattern. Social Inclusion Band which has the motto of "Music For All" has youngsters with disabilities and professional volunteer musicians. The band gives concerts regularly in the best clubs in Istanbul.
Dreams Dance Company which is a drama and dance group, performed on the scene with professional artists.

International volunteers will help the projects in the Dreams Academy Center in Batı-Ataşehir (at the Asian site of İstanbul) with all aspects of workshop preparation, workshop performances as well as any other office or field work related to the project.

Serving and assisting people with disabilities at workshops, assisting the instructors before and after workshops, organizing and running events on and off-site. Volunteers will work 6 days a week and have 1 day free in the weekdays as most of the weekends they will be busy. Most of the days, 8 working hours is requested. Please note that although the project is in İstanbul you will have a limited time to visit the city, due to long working hours which can not be bargained. If you do not agree with these conditions please do not apply.

Candidates should be at least 20 years old and have a strong motivation to work with disabled people, socially disadvantaged groups & individuals and write a detailed motivation letter including their experiences (if any) and wish to be a part of a hard working team. Previous experience is preferable but good mood & good will are more essential.


1 month up to 3 months. One can start any time but please be aware that, as the beginning dates are flexible for each volunteer, you might be the only volunteer during your stay if there is no other application for the same period.

Volunteers talented in dance, drama, playing a music instrument, juggling, photography, film, drawing, rhythm, vocal/choir will be preferred, although you may offer to teach another art or activity. Teachers of above-mentioned fields are needed especially.

A motivation letter should be sent along with the application form. Applications without motivation letter will not be considered.

Volunteer rooms near Dreams Academy Center at the Asian site of Istanbul. Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary.

Lunch is supplied at the center. Volunteers will prepare their meals by the given food for breakfast and dinner. NB: No alcohol is permitted at the center or dormitory.

English. Turkish might be helpful but not necessary.

Atasehir is a modern part of Istanbul in the Asian side. The project site is close to many attractions.

Istanbul

Alternative Life Association (www.ayder.org.tr) which aims and works for the social integration of people with disabilities built a multi-purpose venue in 2014, in a village near by Kas – Antalya in the southwest of Turkey. In this venue people with disabilities who has been excluded from mainstream educational opportunities will have the chance to have education in various fields. Volunteers who are willing to work with and for disabled people are welcome. Please be aware that the centre is open all year but disabled people mainly will be there between 15 May and 30 October. Thus you should consider their absence if you are willing to come out of these dates and sometimes even within these days. When there is no disabled groups in the centre wolunteers should agree to do other tasks mentioned below. Also you might be the only foreign volunteer during your period of stay. We can not guarantee a group of international volunteers all the time.

Although we do not request a non-stop working effort, volunteers are supposed to dedicate their time end energy when needed. Your help may be requested all day long, of course with breaks.

You can help in the overall running of the site in different field works. Volunteers who can undertake more than just one task will be preferred. The work fields are as follows.

1) Kitchen - Food preperation / cooking / table setting / food serving / dish washing.

2) Field - General cleaning of all units / fixing buildings, boats, bikes, instruments / gardening both in main facility and in eco farm / animal care (mainly horses), farming, harvesting, landscaping.

3) Training as artist or assistant or just helper - Art workshops (painting, dance, rhythm, instrument, DJ, drama, photography, sculpture, ceramic, hangicraft) / courses ( PC, foreign languages, personal development, sign language) / reading & library management / sports (swimming, scuba diving, sailing, rowing, canoeing, trekking, outdoor sports, volleyball, badminton, biking, bocce, climbing, archery) / boat skipping / various outdoor trainings / yoga and pilates.

4) Organization - Entertainment and event organizations / indoor and outdoor games, driving & transportation / short trips guiding / health care & first aid / free time activities.

5) Administration - Office work (web and social media support / designs, graphic designs / administrative assistance / leading volunteers.

Although a guest house and dormitories are avaliable, volunteers might be asked to stay in tents when necessary. Disabled members of the arriving groups have the priority of using the dormitories. Sleeping bags, mats and tents will be supplied but those volunteers who prefer to bring their own ones are welcome.

Breakfast, dinner and lunch will be prepared and served at the facility. Volunteers may be requested to help in turns for the kitchen works as preparing the food, cooking, setting up tables, washing the dishes, etc.

English. Basic Turkish would be an asset. Turkish classes can be arranged for volunteers, upon request.

Kas is one of the most popular coasts in southern Turkey and our facility is 11 km away from the Kas town centre. Please be aware that the facility is a bit isolated and there is no night life. You might be the only foreign volunteer especially out of the summer period.

Minimum age is 20.

15 days, maximum stay is 3 months.

A detailed motivation letter should be sent with the application form. Volunteers who can take responsibilities of more than 1 task will be preferred.

Volunteers arriving indivually will be met in Kas Coach Terminal and be transferred to the centre.

Serving and assisting people with disabilities at workshops, assisting the instructors before and after workshops, organizing and running events on and off-site. Volunteers will work 6 days a week and have 1 day free in the weekdays as most of the weekends they will be busy. Most of the days, 8 working hours is requested.

A: Volunteer rooms near Dreams Academy Center at the Asian site of Istanbul. Sleeping bag and mat are not necessary. F: Lunch is supplied at the center. Volunteers will prepare their meals by the given food for breakfast and dinner. Note: No alcohol is permitted at the center or dormitory.

Atasehir is a modern part of Istanbul in the Asian side. The project site is close to many attractions. Please note that although the project is in Istanbul you will have a limited time to visit the city, due to long working hours which can not be bargened. If you do not agree with these conditions please do not apply.

Candidates should be at least 20 years old and have a strong motivation to work with disabled people, socially disadvantaged groups and individuals and write a detailed motivation letter including their experiences (if any) and wish to be a part of a hard working team. Previous experience is preferable but good mood and good wills are more essential. ; Minimum stay is 1 month up to 3 months. One can start any time but please be aware that, as the beginning dates are flexible for each volunteer, you might be the only volunteer during your stay if there is no other application for the same period.Volunteers talented in dance, drama, playing a music instrument, juggling, photography, film, drawing, rhythm, vocal/choir will be preferred, allthough you may offer to teach another art or activity. Teachers of above-mentioned fields are needed especially. A motivation letter should be sent along with the application form. Applications without motivation letter will not be considered.

20-99

Istanbul

English, Turkish

IST: Ataturk (Istanbul, Turkey)

Atasehir